Press control mechanism



April 23, 1940. NECKEL 2,198,224

PRESS CONTROL MECHANISM Filed July 22, 1938 a Sheeis-Sheet 1 FIG-2 45 so 52 4a 39 37 FlG.-4 '21 5s :3 o 45- '\34 A W32 20 i6 35 'INVENTOR EDMUND N. NECKEL ATT RNEYS April 23, 1940. E. N. NECKEL 2,198,224

PRESS CONTROL MECHANISM Filed July 22, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-6.

:BE Z a INVENTOR EDMUND N. NECKEL BWMJW ATTORN EYS 23, 1940. NECKEL 2,198,224

PRESS CONTROL MEGHANISH Filed July 22, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG-7 F7 ENVENTOR P J i 65 EDMUND N. NECKEL ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 23, 1940 PRESS CONTROL MECHANISM Edmund N. Neckel, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The American Laundry Machinery Company, Norwood, Ohio, a cor-pol ution of Ohio Application July 22, 1938, Serial No. 220,639

9 Claims. (Cl. 192-131) This invention relates to improvements in the control mechanism for pressing machines.

The invention is particularly applicable to a safety control for pressing machines or the like,

where two platens move into pressure engagement and where a safety control is desired to protect the operator against injury. One application of this type of machine is found in laundry garment pressing and ironing. It will be understood however that certain features of my invention are directed broadly to control mechanism per se whatever its application.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a control requiring the use of two hands of an operator until the press is safely closed, that is until the platens are almost in contact, after which means controlled by the safe-closed condition of the pressing members actuates a novel maintaining means for holding the press closed under power.

Other novel features reside in the specific construction and arrangement of the parts, and their association together to carry out the above described purposes, all as will more clearly appear from the accompanying specification and drawings and the essential features whereof will beset forth in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a pressing machine partly in section and showing one form of control mechanism in a diagrammatic manner-in full lines the press parts being shown in open position and in dot-dash lines in safe closed position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the controls of Fig. 3 is a view of one of the controls showing the position to which both are moved to operate the press;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the press parts in full closed position and the manuals in maintained position;

Fig. 5 is a view of one of the controls showing in dot-dash lines the maintained position of the manual and in full lines the position to which the manual is moved to cause opening of the press;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing modienlarged view of certain of the control parts so as to more clearly illustrate the same;

Figs. 11 to .13 show still another modification of the control, wherein Fig. 11 shows the position of the parts when the press is in open posi- 5 tion, Fig. 12 shows an intermediate position necessary to operate the press, and Fig. 13 shows a fully actuated and maintained position of the control parts of Figs. 11 and 12.

My control mechanism is adapted to be used 10 with a pressing machine wherein either or both of the pressing members are moved to close the press for a pressing or ironing operation. I have chosen however to illustrate the same utilizing a stationary pressing bed and a movable pressing 15 head. In the form shown in all of the views in which a pressing machine is illustrated in full, a frame 15 supports a stationary pressing bed l6 and pivotally supports at l! a head lever i8 which carries at its forward end a pressing head l9 movable by lever oscillation into and out of contact with the bed. Spring means 20 normally biases the head toward open position and one or more toggles 2| actuated by a cylinder and piston motor 22 moves the head toward closed 25 position for a pressing operation when the motor is supplied with pressure fluid. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5, two valve casings 23 and 24 have their valves connected in series in such a manner that the valves in both casings must be 30 operated coincidentally to supply fluid to motor 22. The supply of pressure fluid is through conduits 25 and 26 to casing 23, through conduit 21 between the valve casings and through conduit 23 between valve casing 24 and motor 22. The valve mechanism and the operating control means for each set of valves is similar so that one only will be described, the other parts having like reference characters with the sufiix a. Valve casing 23 houses a normally closed inlet valve 29 40 and a normally open outlet valve 30 both mounted on a common stem 3| which is engageable by an arm depending from manual 32. This manual is pivotally mounted at 33 on a fixed portion of the press frame. Also pivotally 45 mounted on the press frame and preferably on pivot 33 is a movable part or lever 34. A helical tension spring 35 is connected at one end to the lever 34 and at the other end tomanual 32 so that in the position shown in Fig. 1 the spring maintains manual 32 in inoperative position against the stop 36, whereas in a position on the other side of the center or pivot 33 as shown in Fig. 4 the spring 35 maintains the manual 32 and the valves in casing 23 in operated position. It 5 will be understood that manuals 32 and 32a are so positioned apart on the press frame as to require a hand of the operator on each of them for their coincidental actuation.

Means is provided controlled by the safe-closed position of the press parts for moving the levers 34 and 34a in a direction to throw the springs 35 and 35a over center in a position to hold the manuals in maintained position. In the form here shown this comprises servomotors 31, and 31a which are exactly alike and thereforeone only will be described. The servomotor 31 comprises a cylinder 36 housing a piston 39 whose piston rod 43 is adapted to engage lever 34 and move the same in a counterclockwise direction when pressure fluid is supplied above piston 39. Y

A spring 4| normally holds the piston in its uppermost position. It will be understood! that piston 39 fits loosely enoughrin its cylinder so that pressure quickly leaks away after actuation of the servomotor and the cutofi of the fluid supply thereto. The fluid supply for both of these servomotors comprises conduit 42, valve casing 43, conduit 44 and conduits 45 and 45a, respectively. Means is provided for momentarily opening the valve in casing 43 when the press reaches safe-closed position. This means comprises a lug 46 pivotally mounted on the toggle 2| and having a branch 46a which prevents counterclockwise movement and permits clockwise movement of the lug 46. ihus as the press reaches the safe-closed position indicated in dotdash lines in Fig. 1, the lug 46 momentarily depresses the valve stem 41 for opening the normally closed valve in casing 43 so as to supply a shot of pressure fluid to servomotors 31 and 31a.

Interconnecting means is provided between the two control mechanisms of Figs. 1 and 4 so that movement of one of these mechanisms to inoperative position after a pressing operation will cause a release of the other control mechanism. In the form here shown a combined piston valve and servomotor 48 is formed as a unitary structure with the servomotor 31. In a cylinder 49 is a piston 50 whose piston rod is pivotally connected to lever 34. Through the wall of casing 49 is an exhaust port which is open when the piston 50 is in its uppermost position but closed as the piston passes downwardly. Stop members 52 and 53 striking against the top and bottom walls respectively of casing 49 limit the upper and lower positions of piston 50 and lever 34. A conduit 54 connects the exhaust side of casing 24 with the lower portion of casing 49, while conduit 55 connects the exhaust side of casing 23 with the lower portion of easing 49a.

The operation of the mechanism thus described is as follows: With the press in the open position indicated in full lines in Fig. 1, the operator arranges the work on the bed l6 and depresses manuals 32 and 32a. If one only of these manuals is depressed, pressure fluid will not be sup-- plied to motor 22 because the exhaust side of the set of valves not operated will be in communication with one of the open exhaust ports 5| or 5la. If both manuals are actuated, however, fluid is supplied to motor 22 through conduits 25 and 26, valve 29, conduit 21, valve 29a and conduit 28. The position of the parts at this time is that shown in Fig. 3 where manual 32 has been depressed but lever 34 is still in its uppermost position and spring 35 still lies above pivot 33. Therefore if at this time either manual is released, spring 35 will return the manual to inoperative position permitting the spring in casing 23 or 24 to return the valves therein to 1 the inoperative position of Fig. 1. If both manuals are held depressed until the head reaches the sate-closed position indicated in dot-dash lines in Fig. 1, then the lug 46 will momentarily open the valve in casing 43 supplying fluid above pistons 33 and 39 so as to move levers 34 and 34a in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 4, carrying spring 35 to a point below pivot 33 where it is eflective to hold the manual in operated position. At the same time pistons 53 and 5341 close their respective exhaust ports.

- The manuals may then be released and the press hold the manual in the raised position and to return the piston 50 or 52a to its uppermost position. If manual 32 is thus raised to release the press, exhaust fluid from motor 22 will pass through conduit 29, valve 294:, conduit 21, valve and conduit 55 to casing 49a causing piston 53a to rise carrying lever 34a in a clockwise direction to return spring a to the position of Fig. 1, thus causing manual 32a to return to inoperative position also. In a similar manner, if manual 32a is first -raised it will cause 9. raising of manual 32 to inoperative position.

In the modification of Fig. 6, the parts and the operation thereof are the same as previously described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5 insofar as the parts have the same reference characters. Here however I supply a mechanical equivalent for the fluid supply through valve, casing 43 and the servomotors 31 and 31a for the purpose of producing the maintaining effect upon the manuals. In this form of the device forked levers 56 and 56a embrace the free ends 01 levers 34 and 34a, respectively. These forked levers are rigidly mounted for oscillation on a shaft 51 which carries an arm 53 connected with rod 59 which passes through a suitable opening in a bracket 66 on toggle 2|. A collar 6| on rod 59 causes clockwise movement of levers 56 and 56a as the press reaches safe-closed position and collar 62 causes counterclockwise movement of levers 56 and 56a as the press returns to open position. Suitable stops 63 and 63a limit the movement of the forked levers.

It is thought the operation of the modification of Fig. 6 will now be apparent. With the press in open position, manuals 32 and 32a are depressed so as to supply fluid through conduit 25, valve 29, conduit 21, valve 29a and conduit 28 to motor 22 to cause a closing of the press. When the pressis safe closed, bracket 60 engages collar 6| causing a clockwise movement of forked levers 56 and 56a which causes a counterclockwise movement of levers 34 and 34a carrying springs 35 and 35a below the pivots 33 and 33a, respectively. This maintains the manuals in operated position until it is desired to open the press,

whereupon either manual may be returned to levers B and 56a to return levers 34 and 34a respectively to their uppermost positions.

In the modification shown in Figs. 7 to 10, the motor 22 is supplied with motive fluid through conduits 65 and 66, valve casing 61 and conduit 68. Casing 61 houses a normally closed inlet valve 81a, a normally open outlet valve 6'"), both mounted on a commonstem 81c and biased toward normal position by a spring. An exhaust port 61d is provided. Guided in a fixed part of the frame, [5 is a pin 69 which is pivotally connected at 18 to the center of an equalizer bar II. The opposite ends of this bar are connected respectively by toggles I2 and 12a with manuals 13 and 18a which are pivotally mounted on the press frame at 14 and 14a, respectively. Pivotally mounted on the press frame at 15 is a bent lever 16 to one end of which at 11 is connected a spring I8. The other end of this spring is connected to the equalizer bar at 10. Means is provided for swinging the lever 16 from the position of Fig. '7 against stop 19 to the position of Fig. 9 against stop 80. This means comprises a bell crank 8| pivotally mounted on the press frame at 82 and having one arm connected to the piston rod 83a of a piston 84 which forms part of servomotor 85. A spring normally biases the piston'to its uppermost position and means is provided for supplying pressure fluid above piston 84 when the press reaches safe-closed position. This means comprises a lug 48 on toggle 2! adapted to momentarily open a valve 43 as described in connection with Fig. 1. The supply thus established is through conduit 88, valve casing 43 and conduit 81 to'servomotor 85.

It is thought the operation of this modified form will now be apparent. With the press in the open position of Fig. 7, spring 18 holds lever lli'against stop -19 and biases the equalizer bar II toward the right in the various views so that the manuals are returned to inoperative posi tion and the valves remain in the position shown in Fig. '7. The gap between pin 89 and valve stem 610 is such that upon operation of one only of manuals l3 and 13a the valves in casing 61 remain in inoperative position. If one only of the manuals is operated the point moves to the position 10a in Fig. 10 so that spring I8 is still effective to cause return of the manuals to inoperative position and to move the equalizer bar toward the right. If both manuals are depressed as shown in Fig. 8, the valves in casing 61 are operated as there shown to supply motive fluid to motor 22, however point 19 has now been moved to the position 10b in Fig. 10 and spring 18 is still effective to return the manuals to inoperative position and to permit the valves in casing 61 to again return to the position of Fig. I if one or both of the manuals is released at this time. However, when the press is safeclosed, lug 46 momentarily opens the valve in casing 43 supplying pressure fluid above piston 84 which produces a downward movement of the piston, a counterclockwise movement of bell crank ill and a clockwise movement of lever 16 to the position of Fig. 9 or the dot-dash position of Fig. 10 against the stop 80. Referring to Fig. 10, in this dot-dash position of the parts'the line between point I1 and point 191) lies now on the left side of pivot so that spring I8 holds lever 18 against the stop 80 and biases equalizer bar II toward the left and holds the valves in cas-' ing 81 in operated position. The press will thus remain closed until one of the manuals is returned to the position of Fig. 7. This moves the point Ill back to the position 18a. so that the line of spring 18 lies to the right of pivot 15 as indicated in Fig. 10. This causes spring 18 to move lever 18 in a counterclockwise direction against stop IQ-and returns the equalizer bar ll toward the right. returning all of the parts to the position of Fig. 7.

In the modification of Figs. 11 to 13, certain of the characteristics of the first and third forms will be apparent. Here the parts similar to the form just described in connection with Figs. 7

to 10 are given similar reference characters. The difference in the arrangement of the biasing means for holding the parts respectively in inoperative or operated position. Here a bell crank 88 is pivotally mounted on the press frame at 89 and has an arm 88a lying between the pin 69 and the valve stem 610. A lever 98 is pivotally mounted on the press frame at 89. Connected between the bell crank 88 and the lever 90 is the spring 9| which lies above pivot 89 as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. A servomotor 85 is effective to cause counterclockwise movement of lever 99 when the valve in casing 43 is opened as the press passes safe-closed position as formerly described. Stops 92 limit the movement of lever 90. For release purposes a link 93 is connected between bell crank 88 and a bell crank 94 suitably mounted on the press frame. A'rod 95 connected with a release button 96 serves to manipulate bell crank 94. A spring 91 normally maintains these parts in the position shown in full lines in the various figures.

The operation of this last modification is as follows: With the press in the open position of Fig, 11, the operator arranges the work on the pressing bed l6 and then actuates manuals l8 and 13a. If one only of the manuals is operated the valves in casing 61 remain in the position of Fig. 11. If both manuals are actuated coincidentally the valves of easing 8'! are moved to the position of Fig. 12 but spring 9| still lies above pivot 89 as there shown so that upon release of one or both manuals spring 9| is effective to causecounterclockwise movement of lever 88 so as to return the manuals to inoperative position and to permit the valves in casing 61 to return to the position of Fig. 11. If, however, both manuals are held depressed until the press is safe-closed, then motive fluid is supplied through casing 43 to servomotor 85 causing the latter to make a downward stroke and moving lever 90 to the position of Fig. 13. This carries spring 9| to a point below pivot 89 so that the spring'is effective to hold lever 88 in its clockwise rotated position thus holding the valves in casing 61 in operated position so that the press will remain closed while the manuals are released. To open the press button 96 is moved inwardly to the dotdash position of Fig. 13 which causes a counterclockwise movement of lever 88 carrying spring 9! again above the pivot 89 where it is effective to return the manuals to inoperative position permitting the valves in casing 61 to return to the position of Fig. 11 so that the press will open. At the same time spring 9| returns the piston 84 to its uppermost position ready for the next operation.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine having coacting'pressing members, power means for causing relative approach movement of said members into pressing engagement, control means for said power means including a control member for energizing said power means and normally in power cutoff position, an over-center spring device arranged when moved over center to hold said control member in power supply position, safety twohand operated means for moving said control means to energizing position, and means controlled by movement of said pressing members to a safe-closed position for moving said spring device over center.

2.- In a pressing machine having coacting pressing members and means tending to return them to open position, power means for causing relative approach movement of said members into pressing engagement, control means for causing energization of said power means and normally in power cut-off position, over-center spring means adapted when on one side of center to cause power cut-off positioning of said control means and adapted when on the other side of center to cause power supply positioning of said control means, said control means including safety two hand operated means adapted when actuated by two hands of an operator to move one end of said spring means toward the other side of center, means controlled by movement of said pressing members to safe-closed position for moving the other end of said spring means toward the other side of center, and the parts being so constructed and arranged as to require completion of the operat-ion of said last named means and said two hand operated means to place said spring means efiectively on said other side of center.

3. In a pressing machine having coacting pressing members and power means for causing a pressing operation between them, a control member for said power means, an over-center spring having operative connections with said control member for controlling positioning of said control member in power cut-off and power supply positions respectively when said spring is one or the other side of center, manually actuated means and press actuated means for moving opposite ends respectively of said spring toward the other side of center, and the parts being so constructed and arranged that completion of the said actuation of both of said last named means is necessary to move said spring over center.

4. In a pressing machine having coacting pressing members, power means for causing relative approach movement of said members into pressing engagement, control means for energizing said power means and normally in power cut-ofi position, said control means including a pivoted manually operated part, a snap-acting over-center spring having one end secured to said 'inanually operated part on one side of its pivot, a movable lever on the other side of said pivot to which the other end of saidspring is attached, said part and its spring connection being so arranged that movement of said part to fully actuated position moves said spring toward but not past center, and means controlled by movement of said pressing members to safe-closed position for moving said lever to carry said spring over center when said part is in actuated position, said spring in said over center position holding said control means in power supply position.

5. In a pressing machine having coacting pressing members and power means for causing a pressing action between them, control means for said power means including two control members both of which must be actuated coincidentally to energize said power means, means biasing said control members toward power cut-off position, a manual for each control member for moving it to power supply position, said manuals being spaced apart to require a hand of the operator on each of them for their coincidental actuation, a spring for each manual, two movable parts each carrying one end of its associated spring and an operative connection between the other end of each spring and its associated manual arranged to move each spring by coincidental actuation of its associated manual and part from one side to the other of a. central position, the connections between the parts being such that in the position on one side the spring holds its associated manual in inoperative position and in the position on the other side the spring holds its associated manual in operative position, and means controlled by movement of said pressing members to safe-closed position for moving said two movable parts to place said springs on said other side of central position.

6. A pressing machine as in claim wherein said power means includes a fluid actuated motor and said control members are valves, a servomotor operatively connected one with each of said two movable parts adapted to move said parts to place said springs on' said other side of central position, and a fluid supply connection from each valve effective when the valve is in its power cut-off position to supply fluid to the servomotor for the other valve.

7. Ina pressing machine having a pair of coacting pressing members and power means for causing a pressing action between them, a control member for said power means normally in power cut-off position, means for actuating said control member to power supply position including a pair of spaced safety manuals operatively connected one to each end of an equalizer bar, there being an operative connection between said control member and said bar intermediate the ends of the latter, the arrangement of the parts being such that coincidental movement of both manuals is required to move said control member to power supply position, an over-center spring device adapted on one side of center position to return said manuals toward inoperative position and adapted on the other side of center position to hold said control member in power supply position, and means controlled by movement of said pressing members to safe-closed position for causing movement of said device to said other side of center position.

8. In a pressing machine having a pair of coacting pressing members and power means for caus-' ing a pressing action between them, a control member for said power means normally in power cut-01f position, means for actuating said control member to power supply position including a pair of spaced safety manuals operatively connected one to each end of an equalizer bar, there being an operative connection between said control member and said bar intermediate the ends of the latter, the arrangement of the parts being such that coincidental movement of both manuals is required to move said control member to power supply position, an over-center spring adapted on one side of center position to return said manuals toward inoperative position and adapted on the other side of center position to hold said control member in power supply position, said manuals having an operative connection with said spring for moving the latter toward said other side of center when said manuals are actuated, and means controlled by movement of said pressing members to safe-closed position adapted to coact with said last named operative connection to move said spring to said other side of center position.

9. In a pressing machine having a pair of meeting pressing members and power means for causing a pressing action between them, a control member for said power means normally in power cut-off position, means for actuating said control member to power supply position including a pair of spaced safety manuals operatively connected one to each end of an equalizer bar, there being an operative connection between said control member and said bar intermediate the ends of the latter, the arrangement of the parts being such that coincidental movement of both manuals is required to move said control member to power supply position, a lever pivotaiiy mounted on said machine, a spring connected at one end to said lever and at its other end to said bar, said spring normally lying on one side of said pivot in position to return said manuals to inoperative position, means controlled by movement of said pressing members to safe-closed position for oscillatme said lever in a manner to carry said spring to the other side of said pivot when said manuals are held in actuated position, and the parts being so arranged that said spring on said other side of said pivot holds said control member in power supply position.

EDMUND N. NECKEL. 

